President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
